Mention Tonya Harding, Timothy McVeigh, or Monica Lewinsky, and each individual's infamous actions immediately come to mind. Each of these names meant nothing until actions like sex and violence were associated with them. Monica Lewinsky's name became so recognizable that she used just her first name to try to sell a line of handbags. This concept of a name embodying a particular set of actions is significant in understanding Coriolanus. Shakespeare uses names as a metonym only for a person's actions, illustrating both the beneficial and disastrous consequences of this simplistic association. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Although the man's name is never revealed, the poor guest who hosts Coriolanus is a great example of the importance of connecting a name and actions. Coriolanus, in an attempt to kindly repay the people who helped him conquer Aufidius and the Volscians, speaks enthusiastically of a man who gave him lodgings while he was in the field. He treated me kindly, cried out to me (I:ix 83), praises Coriolanus, establishing that the men were close enough to cry together. Coriolanus saw the man taken prisoner even as he saw Aufidius and asked Cominius to grant freedom to [his] poor guest (I:ix 87). Cominius is more than willing to grant this request, and his fellow general Lartius simply asks Martius for his name (I:ix 89). Despite crying with this man and the extraordinary kindness the man showed him, Coriolanus responds: By Jove, I forgot! (I:ix 90) Not only has his name been forgotten, but in two lines Coriolanus is discussing more important matters, such as where the wine is found. In this case, having his name firmly established with his good deed would have freed the man from being a prisoner of war, illustrating the importance of one's name representing one's actions. Shakespeare less subtly illustrates the beneficial metonymy of names for actions with the surname Coriolanus being given to Gaius Marcius. Cominius, after listing many of the courageous military deeds performed by the still bloodthirsty Gaius Marcius for Rome, proclaims: For what he did before Corioles, call him Coriolanus (I:ix 63-65). Shakespeare makes a name literally a representation of actions by having it bestowed upon him because of his heroic leadership. The name Coriolanus would not exist in the work without the valorous deeds that earned Caius Marcius his name, and it is from the name Coriolanus that the people of Rome decide to elect him consul. Instead of showing his wounds to the people, another sign of his service to Rome, he is elected on the basis of acquiring his new surname, strengthening the link between name and actions. However, Shakespeare refuses to be satisfied with representing only a heroic link between name and deeds, and explores a different perspective during Coriolanus' exile. Coriolanus travels to the home of his mortal enemy Aufidius in disguise, and Aufidius is suspicious of the wanderer in his house. He asks for Coriolanus' name, which Coriolanus is reluctant to give because of its meaning. «An unmusical name for the ears of the Volscians, and harsh in sound for yours (IV:v 58), replies Coriolanus, choosing to postpone the indication of his name. Coriolanus finally relents, confessing his name and that Aufidius should, by testimony of my surname, Coriolanus (IV:v 67-68), be saved from committing great harm and evil (IV:v 67), against the Volscians. He continues like this, although his name symbolizes the atrocities against the Volscians, only that name remains (IV:v73). Coriolanus does not want his name to be a metonym for his military exploits, and tries to break away.